Just bought a Jersey heifer and have questions

[CurrentWave]

The cow we got is 5 yr old. and in milk, but the people didn't have any grass and so her condition and milk were both a little thin. I have her on grass now and have added alfalfa and additional grains to her diet, and the milk is increasing!

My goals are to improve her health, while keeping her milk volume on the low side 3-4 gallons per day, maybe even down to 2.

I assume if we only milk out 2 gallons per milking she will accustomed her production to this amount. Any tips on decreasing milk production safely without causing any problems for the cow?

And any tips or ideas for increasing her condition without going overboard?

Thanks so much....

[sammyd]

Feed only hay, and loose mineral.
Used to look forward to having the grass come on in the spring cuz production would increase like magic.
As a grain free dairy our production was pretty low over the winter months.

[karenp]

technically if she is in milk, she has calved and is not a heifer.

[sammyd]

It is common to refer to cows in their first lactation as heifers but at 5 years it's a cow..